Butler Routs Detroit, 65-44

INDIANAPOLIS - Senior Melanie
Thornton had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Butler
women's basketball team to a 65-44 win over Detroit Saturday
afternoon. Junior Alyssa Pittman added 16 points
off the bench for the Bulldogs, who have won four of their last
five games.

Butler (12-6, 5-2 HL) moved into a four-way tie for first place
in the Horizon League with the win. Green Bay, Cleveland State and
Detroit are also 5-2 in league play.

BU held Detroit to 25.5 percent shooting and had a 43-35
rebounding edge. Butler climbed out to a 14-4 lead in the first 10
minutes of the game and never trailed. Detroit (7-11, 5-2 HL)
pulled to within 14-11 but would never get any closer.

The Bulldogs led 26-17 late in the first half when Pittman made
a pair of free throws and a lay-up at the first-half buzzer to give
Butler a 30-18 lead at halftime.

Butler will play its next three games on the road, starting
Thursday, Jan. 28 at Green Bay.

NOTES: Butler is now 8-1 at home this
season...The Bulldogs have won nine straight games over Detroit and
haven't lost to the Titans since 2006...Butler had a 32-9 edge in
bench points...Detroit's 25.5 shooting percentage is the lowest for
a Butler opponent this season...Melanie Thornton had 17 points and
10 rebounds, her fifth double-double of the season...Alyssa Pittman
had 16 points, her eighth double-figure scoring game and third in
the last four games...Pittman is 7-for-13 from 3-point range over
the last two games...Butler is 22-8 in its last 30 Horizon League
homes games...The win was Beth Couture's 117th at
Butler, bringing her within seven of the school record for
victories.